Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SEOUL931
2009-06-12 07:02:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
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UNCLAS SEOUL 000931
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
East Asia and Pacific: DPRK
--------------
"Cool Heads Vital in Facing the North"
Senior Columnist Kim Young-hie opined in right-of-center JoongAng
Ilbo (06/12): "International society's sanctions on North Korea will
operate fairly well in general. Dangers arise only when the
sanctions and the ROK's hard-line stance anger North Korea to the
extent that it explodes. In that case, the ROK will be the first
outlet for the North's rage. ... We need to restrain ourselves from
using provocative words unless it is absolutely necessary. Cooling
periods and explicit incentives are vital, not for the grand goals
of reunification or peace in Northeast Asia, but for the urgent
objective of preventing another war. ... Sanctions are tools, not
goals. Sanctions against North Korea have the effect of isolating
the communist state. We must not forget the paradox that as North
Korea becomes more isolated, its missiles will become more numerous
and sophisticated."
"North Korea Should Accurately Read the UNSC's Intention in Adopting
Tougher Resolution"
Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized (06/12): "The main issue is the
degree to which North Korea will resist (the UN sanctions.) North
Korea has long declared that it would consider cargo inspections on
the high seas to be an act of war. Observers say, however, that
chances are low that sanctions would immediately lead to naval armed
clashes. ... Given that the U.S., conscious of China's concerns,
agreed in a compromise agreement to stop short of making the high
seas inspections of North Korean ships mandatory, the U.S. is
expected to avoid military action. In this regard ... the UNSC
resolution seems to be more like a political message urging the
North to change its attitude."
"Sanctions Cannot Substitute for N. Korea Nuclear Issue Resolution"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (06/12): "As outside
pressure becomes harsher, North Korea will put greater efforts into
developing nuclear weapons... This is why we should put more
emphasis on creating an atmosphere conducive to getting North Korea
to give up its nuclear ambitions. In particular, the U.S., which
holds the key in negotiations with North Korea, should establish a
framework to fundamentally resolve the nuclear issue. UN sanctions
are meaningful only when they are used as the groundwork to resolve
the nuclear issue."
"Don't Succumb to N. Korea's Demands"
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorialized (06/12): "If Seoul accepts
Pyongyang's wage demand of $300, all ROK companies in the Kaesong
Industrial Complex will be forced out. One entrepreneur has decided
to withdraw from the complex because of losses and fears over
employee safety. ... Seoul must reject this 'outrageous' bill from
Pyongyang and make the North clearly realize that, unless the
detained ROK worker is released, (South Korea) will not engage in
negotiations. ... The UN Security Council is responding to North
Korea's nuclear and missile provocations with a strong resolution.
This is not the time to give a raise to North Korean workers ... and
grant $500 million in additional rent."
STEPHENS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US
SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION
East Asia and Pacific: DPRK
--------------
"Cool Heads Vital in Facing the North"
Senior Columnist Kim Young-hie opined in right-of-center JoongAng
Ilbo (06/12): "International society's sanctions on North Korea will
operate fairly well in general. Dangers arise only when the
sanctions and the ROK's hard-line stance anger North Korea to the
extent that it explodes. In that case, the ROK will be the first
outlet for the North's rage. ... We need to restrain ourselves from
using provocative words unless it is absolutely necessary. Cooling
periods and explicit incentives are vital, not for the grand goals
of reunification or peace in Northeast Asia, but for the urgent
objective of preventing another war. ... Sanctions are tools, not
goals. Sanctions against North Korea have the effect of isolating
the communist state. We must not forget the paradox that as North
Korea becomes more isolated, its missiles will become more numerous
and sophisticated."
"North Korea Should Accurately Read the UNSC's Intention in Adopting
Tougher Resolution"
Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized (06/12): "The main issue is the
degree to which North Korea will resist (the UN sanctions.) North
Korea has long declared that it would consider cargo inspections on
the high seas to be an act of war. Observers say, however, that
chances are low that sanctions would immediately lead to naval armed
clashes. ... Given that the U.S., conscious of China's concerns,
agreed in a compromise agreement to stop short of making the high
seas inspections of North Korean ships mandatory, the U.S. is
expected to avoid military action. In this regard ... the UNSC
resolution seems to be more like a political message urging the
North to change its attitude."
"Sanctions Cannot Substitute for N. Korea Nuclear Issue Resolution"
Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (06/12): "As outside
pressure becomes harsher, North Korea will put greater efforts into
developing nuclear weapons... This is why we should put more
emphasis on creating an atmosphere conducive to getting North Korea
to give up its nuclear ambitions. In particular, the U.S., which
holds the key in negotiations with North Korea, should establish a
framework to fundamentally resolve the nuclear issue. UN sanctions
are meaningful only when they are used as the groundwork to resolve
the nuclear issue."
"Don't Succumb to N. Korea's Demands"
Conservative Dong-a Ilbo editorialized (06/12): "If Seoul accepts
Pyongyang's wage demand of $300, all ROK companies in the Kaesong
Industrial Complex will be forced out. One entrepreneur has decided
to withdraw from the complex because of losses and fears over
employee safety. ... Seoul must reject this 'outrageous' bill from
Pyongyang and make the North clearly realize that, unless the
detained ROK worker is released, (South Korea) will not engage in
negotiations. ... The UN Security Council is responding to North
Korea's nuclear and missile provocations with a strong resolution.
This is not the time to give a raise to North Korean workers ... and
grant $500 million in additional rent."
STEPHENS